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Center for Civics Education
Dr. Jo Ellen Chatham
Director, Center for Civics Education
949-214-3200
[email protected]
Convention: A Daily Journal is a day-by-day journal of the 1787 Constitutional Convention convened by twelve of the original thirteen states to amend the Articles of Confederation and create a “more perfect union.” It chronicles the daily activities of the Convention, profiles the delegates and their interactions with each other, and looks back to life in America in the 1780s. Writing in the first person, the story is told from an “observer” hearing events as told in contemporary newspaper accounts and delegates’ personal notes and letters.
By Center for Civics Education Posted on 5/31/2020 - 4 minute read
George Washington called the meeting of the Constitutional Convention to order at 10:00 this morning and welcomed two new delegates from Georgia, William Pierce and William Houston. After receiving their credentials and having the minutes of yesterday’s meeting approved, he vacated the chair and again turned over the meeting to Nathaniel Gorham, chairman of the Committee of the Whole.
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By Center for Civics Education Posted on 5/30/2020 - 4 minute read
The official Journal of the Constitutional Convention records that “the order of the day being read, the House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House to consider the state of the American Union.”
By Center for Civics Education Posted on 5/29/2020 - 4 minute read
John Dickenson, “The Penman of the Revolution,” from Delaware, and Elbridge Gerry from Massachusetts took their seats this morning and were welcomed to the Convention. Mr. Wythe reported that the Rules Committee had examined the motions put forth yesterday by Mr. Spaight and Mr. Butler and proposed they be added to the “standing orders of the House.”
By Center for Civics Education Posted on 5/28/2020 - 4 minute read
The second meeting of the Constitutional Convention convened at 10:00 this morning. Rufus King must have been relieved that Nathaniel Gorham and Caleb Strong of Massachusetts, and Oliver Ellsworth of Connecticut have finally arrived. Just a few days ago he had been “mortified” to be the only delegate from all of New England. Now both states have a sufficient number of delegates present to be officially represented.
By Center for Civics Education Posted on 5/27/2020 - 4 minute read
Today, George Washington’s diary records, “I went to the Romish Church – to high Mass. Dined, drank Tea, and spent the evening at my lodgings.”
By Center for Civics Education Posted on 5/26/2020 - 4 minute read
Over the weekend, the committee elected to draft the rules of the convention is meeting in order to have a proposal for Monday’s session. New delegates are arriving, settling in at their various lodgings and getting briefed about events to date.
By Center for Civics Education Posted on 5/25/2020 - 4 minute read
This morning, twenty-nine delegates made their way through a drenching downpour to the State House from the City Tavern, the Indian Queen, Robert Morris’s home, and nearby inns. Another delegate from New Jersey has arrived, providing a majority of delegates of seven States, sufficient for a quorum to open the Federal Convention.
By Center for Civics Education Posted on 5/24/2020 - 4 minute read
William Pierce represents Georgia. Although the beginning of the convention was scheduled for May 14, ten days ago, he wrote to a friend earlier today that “in a day or two” he will “set out for Philadelphia.”
By Center for Civics Education Posted on 5/23/2020 - 4 minute read
General George Washington is revered as “the greatest man in America.” He has earned his reputation the hard way, through years of leading thirteen disparate States in a war against one of the most powerful nations in the world. Against all odds, including an unreliable Congress and an unending shortage of rations and equipment, his Army prevailed.
By Center for Civics Education Posted on 5/22/2020 - 4 minute read
Each day George Washington’s diary records the arrival of delegates as they reach Philadelphia. His entry today is positive: “The Representation from No. Carolina was completed which made a representation of five States. Dined and drank tea at Mr. Morris’s.” Only a majority of delegates from two States is now required for the convention to begin.
For more information, please contact the Director:
Dr. Jo Ellen Chatham Director, Center for Civics Education [email protected] 949-214-3200